General News
29 May, 2026
Proud war veteran
THE contributions of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have served and sacrificed for Australia will be acknowledged at the annual Indigenous Veterans’ Ceremony hosted by RSL Queensland tomorrow.
James Canuto, a Vietnam veteran who served in the Australian Army for more than 20 years, will give the keynote speech at the Cairns Cenotaph ceremony.
Leaving the Yarrabah Reserve at 20-years-old to serve, Mr Canuto completed two tours of Vietnam before discharging in 1989 with the rank of Warrant Officer Class Two.
“I’m proud to have served. I wear my medals on ANZAC Day. I’ll wear them any opportunity I have,” he said.
“And it’s not just me. Indigenous veterans wear their medals like any other soldier.”
In the years after service, Mr Canuto has become a steady leader in the Yarrabah community, helping to found Yarrabah RSL sub branch.
An RSL spokesman said Indigenous Australians had served in every war and conflict involving our nation since 1899, despite being excluded from citizenship until 1967.
“Many were also denied the same entitlements as other Australians who fought for their country, at the same time, in the same wars,” he said.
“The ceremony is an important reminder of the injustices that many Indigenous veterans faced during, but particularly after, their service.
“RSL Queensland aims to create a deeper understanding of Australia’s military history, and deeper recognition of all who served, by helping to tell this story.”
Starting at 11am on Saturday 30 May, the Indigenous Veterans’ Ceremony will also be live streamed on RSL Queensland’s YouTube channel at www.bit.ly/3PJIW49
All members of the community are welcome and attendance is free. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/4wBB6Kz
